Extra Curricular Coursework
Fun & Creativity
Art
Art is a great way for students to use colors and understand themes that are used to express feelings and create mood. This content area also reinforces language skills as students learn to describe and share their artwork. Students become familiar with elements of art, which includes lines, colors, shapes, textures, and forms. These topics contribute to mathematical skill development as students encounter concepts such as size, shape, counting, spatial reasoning, and making comparisons. Art also provides space for students to engage in critical thinking and experience cause and effect
Art is a fantastic way for young learners to develop both gross and fine motor skills, including hand-eye coordination, bilateral hand use, and using small hands and fingers to grasp various materials. The art program also supports free play, providing students with opportunities to explore and experiment with materials in an organic way.
Music & Movement
It comes as no surprise that young learners often have wiggly days. Through music and instruments, students engage in experiences that accelerate brain development in math, reading, and language acquisition. Music and movement also improve:
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Memory/memorization
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Recall
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Attention span
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Decision-making skills
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Perception/auditory perception
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Concentration
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Balance
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Motor control
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Spatial perception
Furthermore, music and movement release endorphins into the brain, which help to maintain energy levels and interest in activities. This type of activity helps keep children motivated, tuned in, and ready to explore other areas of their education. Music and movement activities also allow children to tap into their creativity. Students gain access to a judgment-free, creative way to express themselves, which is an important part of their development.
Sports & Outside Play
Outdoor Play
Outdoor play provides students with the freedom to explore and practice social emotional skills with their peers, which includes problem solving, encouragement, taking turns, self-control, empathy, risk taking, and following rules. Outdoor play also promotes physical health, while serving as an outlet for releasing energy. These activities encourage exploration and provide a brain break from general coursework.
Sports
In addition to outdoor play, students gain exposure to multiple sports that develop multiple skills, including team building, following multi-step directions, leadership, and independence. Students also build important physical skills such as hand-eye-coordination, balance, flexibility, and agility.
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Gymnastics
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Soccer
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Swimming
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Basketball
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Baseball
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Golf
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Tennis
Language
Maven will offer Spanish as our additional language. Incorporating foreign language as a part of early childhood learning is crucial for developing critical thinking, concentration, listening, problem solving, and multitasking skills. Children proficient in other languages also show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility.
Signing (ASL)
American Sign Language (ASL) is recognized as a world language and children who speak it are considered bilingual. However, we categorize it separately as it offers benefits beyond an additional language. For instance, the connection between hearing, seeing, and acting out the language creates more pathways in the brain, which leads to stronger memory. Also, sign language engages both sides of the brain, providing two places for children to recall langage from.
In particular, preverbal children exposed to sign language benefit from advanced speech development and experience less frustration as they can express themselves. Sign language also offers multiple psychological benefits, including confidence, advanced emotional development, high attentiveness to social gestures of others, the ability to form longer sentences at an early age, and being able to read at an earlier age.